Virgin and Child (Epitaph for Kaspar Kasparek and his Wife)

Virgin and Child (Epitaph for Kaspar Kasparek and his Wife)

Title

Virgin and Child (Epitaph for Kaspar Kasparek and his Wife)

[cda 2023]

Painting on wood

Medium

Painting on wood

[Exhib. Cat. Prague 2016, no. 20]

This epitaph was created for Kaspar Kaspárek and his wife Ursula. A Latin inscription explains that the work was made to commemorate a burgher of Pilsen, who prior to his death in 1537 donated funds for an altar. The couple kneels in front of a low wall in adoration of

This epitaph was created for Kaspar Kaspárek and his wife Ursula. A Latin inscription explains that the work was made to commemorate a burgher of Pilsen, who prior to his death in 1537 donated funds for an altar. The couple kneels in front of a low wall in adoration of the Virgin and Child, who are depicted against a green curtain held at the right by a cherub and revealing a landscape at the left. The infant child rests on a cushion in his mother's lap, while she offers him a bunch of grapes. The donors are shown in diminutive size either side of the inscription, wearing attire appropriate to their status. Kaspar Kaspárek and his widow (d. 1565) were buried in the Church of the Assumption in the Franciscan monastery.

[cda 2023]

Attribution
Master IW

Attribution

Master IW

[Západočeská galerie online, accessed 21.12.2023]; [Exhib. Cat. Prague 2016, 150, no. 20]; [Exhib. Cat. Prague 2005, no. 38]

Production date
1538

Production date

1538

[dated]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 82 x 56 cm

Dimensions

Signature / Dating

Artist's insignia, lower right corner: 'I.W.' and dated '1538'

Signature / Dating

  • Artist's insignia, lower right corner: 'I.W.' and dated '1538'

  • [Exhib. Cat. Prague 2016, no. 20]

Inscriptions and Labels
  • on the plinth: 'Anno 1537 Pridie Nonas Martii obiit Providus Cassparus Kassparek Civic Pilsnensis Patronus et fundator hujus altaris. …

Inscriptions and Labels

Inscriptions, Badges:

    • on the plinth:

  • 'Anno 1537 Pridie Nonas Martii obiit Providus Cassparus Kassparek Civic Pilsnensis Patronus et fundator hujus altaris. Anno 1565 Idibus Februarii obiit honesta Ursula eiusdem coniunx, Hic uterque sepultus.'

Owner
Západoceská galerie v Plzni (West Bohemian Gallery, Pilsen)
Repository
Národní galerie v Praze (National Gallery in Prague)
Location
Prague
CDA ID
CZ_ZCG_O112
FR (1978) Nr.
FR-none
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/CZ_ZCG_O112/

Provenance

  • probably from the Church of the Assumption in the Franciscan monastery, Pilsen
  • later deposited in the church sacristy
    [Exhib. Cat. Prague 2016, no. 20]
  • on permanent loan in the National Gallery
    [National Gallery Prague, revised 2024]

Exhibitions

Prague 2005, no. 38
Prague 2016, no. 20

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Exhib. Cat. Prague 2016 146-151 20 Figs. pp. 40, 146, 147
EditorOlga Kotková
TitleCranach. Ze všech stran. From all sides.
Place of PublicationPrague
Year of Publication2016
Pages16-180
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Prague 2005 134, 136-138 (English version 50-52) 38 Pl. p. 137
EditorObrazárna Pražského hradu, Kaliopi Chamonikola
TitlePod znamením okrídleného hada. Lucas Cranach a ceské zeme. Under the winged Serpent. Lucas Cranach and the Czech Land
Place of PublicationPrague
Year of Publication2005
Show Literature
Kesner 2005 34 (English version 16, 17)
AuthorLadislav Kesner
TitleCranachuv zák - Mistr IW/ The pupil of Cranach - Master IW
Publicationin Kaliopi Chamonikola, ed., Pod znamením okrídleného hada. Lucas Cranach a ceské zeme, Under the winged Serpent, Lucas Cranach and the Czech Lands, Exhib. Prague 2005
Place of PublicationPrague
Year of Publication2005
Pages34-41 (16-18)
Show Literature
  • Virgin and Child (Epitaph for Kaspar Kasparek and his Wife), 1538

Images

Compare images
  • overall

Technical studies

2016Technical examination / Scientific analysis

  • Infrared reflectography

Underdrawing

- infrared reflectography shows an underdrawing in a fluid medium. It reveals minor changes in the composition (see the edge of the cloak above the Virgin's breast); the execution of the dress and the soles of the infant Christ's feet are particularly typical of the workshop practice; facial features are indicated, but there is no representation of volume

[Exhib. Cat. Prague 2016, 150, no. 20]

Condition Reports

Date2016

  • the reverse of the panel was reinforced with a new wooden panel

[Exhib. Cat. Prague 2016, 150, no. 20]

Conservation History

Date1980

Conservation treatment in 1980

[Exhib. Cat. Prague 2016, 150, no. 20]

  • conservation treatment by Vendula Látalová

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'Virgin and Child (Epitaph for Kaspar Kasparek and his Wife)', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/CZ_ZCG_O112/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'Virgin and Child (Epitaph for Kaspar Kasparek and his Wife)', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/CZ_ZCG_O112/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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